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ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Yao Ming: The Next Asian Superstar?
(Updated
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025, 06:38:56 AM)
he sweetest moment for Asian men in American sports came on June 26, 2002 at Madison Square Garden. The Houston Rockets had just spent their number one overall draft pick on 7-5 Chinese center Yao Ming over 6-2 Duke guard Jay Williams. The largely black crowd of draft prospects and their contingents booed. They had reason to be displeased. For the past quarter century black athletes had dominated pro basketball and they saw Yao as a subversive force, an alien threat. Even Charles Barkley -- Yao's basketball idol -- sniped at Houston's choice and hinted at bad consequences.
David or Goliath?
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What's wrong with this picture?
In the global sports scene blacks have come to represent all-around athletic prowess. Asian athletes, on the other hand, have been painted as disciplined and skilled but lacking power and size, able to excel only in sports no one cares about. For an Asian to get the top pick in a black-dominated sport was heresy.
To appreciate what Yao represents to Asian American men requires a quick trip down memory lane. And we do mean quick. The lane is short and sparsely populated.
In the beginning there was Sammy Lee, the first Asian American to win Olympic gold. He did it with 10-meter platform diving at the 1948 London games and again in 1952 at the Helsinki games. Not exactly a marquee sport, but inspiring nevertheless at a time when Asian Americans hardly knew what to call themselves.
Then came Michael Chang whose 1989 French Open championship has passed into tennis legend. Cramping and down two sets to Ivan Lendl in the round of 16, the 17-year-old phenom dared to discombobulate the Ice Man with moonballs and an underhanded serve. The ploy worked. The proof that Chang's nerves and speed were real came in the classic 5-set finals victory against Stefan Edberg. But Chang's recent ignomious descent into tennis twilight raises the suspicion that he simply lacks the size and power to stay in the power game.
It wasn't until Hideo Nomo joined the Dodgers in 1995 that an Asian athlete was able to inspire sustained frenzy in one of the big-three sports. Nomo's martian windup and delivery proved so effective that he set Dodgers strikeout records, made the All-Stars and inspired Nomomania.
By 2001 when Ichiro Suzuki joined the Mariners, Asian imports taking Rookie of the Year honors had practically become a Major League tradition. But none had done it with Ichiro's flair or sunglasses. It wasn't enough that he led the game in hitting and basestealing, he seemed determined to make it look easy. Sex appeal had finally come to the image of the Asian male athlete.
But the image still lacked something in many AA minds. Sure, for a leadoff hitter Ichiro hit his share of home runs, but he was known for speed and finesse, not power. Having chafed so long under stereotypes denying them size and strength, AA men longed for a star who could knock those assumptions back into the last millennium.
Eyes turned longingly to football as the obvious arena for the ultimate stereotype smasher -- and saw only Dat Nguyen of the Dallas Cowboys. As a promising linebacker, Nguyen doesn't enjoy the cache of a star offensive back. And at 5-11 and 240 pounds, Nguyen isn't exactly in the 99th percentile in terms of size and power among football players.
Asian American eyes were drawn to basketball by a trio of giants known collectively as "The Great Wall". They were very big for the Chinese national team. First to make his NBA debut was Wang Zhizhi (7-1, 220 pounds) in April 2001. As a center for the Dallas Mavericks he has averaged 5.5 points per 10.6 minutes of playing time per game. A respectable stat for any rookie but disappointing for those who had hoped for an instant Asian star. Then came Mengke Bateer (6-11, 290 pounds) in February of 2002. Despite 15.1 minutes of play per game as a center for the Denver Nuggets, he too disappointed some with an average 5.1 points and 3.6 rebounds.
Enter the Dragon. At a height variously described as 7-5 or 7-6, Yao Ming, 22, is at once the tallest and youngest of the trio. In the past two years his weight shot up from 255 to 295 pound -- and he's still growing. His gifts extend beyond size, however. He moves a foot shorter. Born to a pair of former stars for the Chinese national teams, his court instincts and skills are practically dyed-in-the-wool.
And yet Yao isn't a lock to defy the darker prognostications of his prospects as a Rocket. He was regularly outplayed by Wang Zhizhi when both were playing in China. Even with Yao, Wang and Mengke, the Chinese national team routinely lost to second-tier powers like France and Lithuania. Yao has never gone up against the likes of Shaquille O'Neal. The adjustment to life in the U.S. will be long and difficult. In short, Yao Ming is ideally positioned to become the biggest disappointment in the history of Asians in American sports.
Is Yao Ming the next Asian superstar? Or is he more likely to reinforce the image of Asian men as also-rans in power sports?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
They say Yao has a shooting touch. So why is it that he hasn't made any point [is it b/c he takes fewer shots per game]. Steve Francis isn't known for his shootin, I don't think. And yet he made so many points per game. Is it that he took too many shots? Anyone know.
I also think that rockets are now making Yao a bench player. He is easing his way into the game as a full player. I think until he progress into a good player then they will have him play more minutes.
koko
Thursday, November 07, 2002 at 07:11:33 (PST)
[162.83.150.79]
Clippers are shafting Wang Zhi Zhi they promised him playing time...and he is like getting no minutes...And I remember someone saying Wang ZhiZhi's weight gain is due to fat...go to nba.com and look for his picture...look at the size of those arms...doesnt look like fat to me...I also belive Wang Zhi Zhi is good and he just needs more minutes...Yao also needs to start.
philthethrill
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 18:55:17 (PST)
[169.226.236.30]
Counterpuncher, now, tennis is not a sport? A sport that millions of people play around the world is now deemed by Counterpuncher to be not a sport, just because a Korean has not yet done well in the sport.
Man, you are pathetic. You are a racist. Pure and Simple. You suck. I don't know why you are so bitter, but you are a loser.
Realist
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 17:24:22 (PST)
[210.0.188.194]
"O Yawn
Racist? Whitewash? How? You should poke your head out of the Chinese butt you got yourself in. I seriously doubt you are Corean."
oh believe me i am 100% korean unlike yourself with your constant china bashing wake up ..u Fool...u are doing the whiteman's dirty work..
anti -counter
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 16:52:21 (PST)
[195.92.168.163]
The truth,
Everytime they pass to ming, that super slow tall guy turns it over. It's a matter of not having confidence in your weak center. If ming wants the ball, he should go grab rebounds. He's 7-5, why can't he grab more than 3 or 4 boards? Blaming the guards is very stupid that a knowledgeless basketball fan would do because ming is just lousy overall. even his defense is liable. yao is the most overhyped machine ever in the nba, and right now, he's just embarrassing asians. even chinese people are ashamed.
he got no game!
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 11:51:23 (PST)
[66.107.44.253]
Counterpuncher,
What IMPACT has Chinese athletes made? Michael Chang, Michelle Kwan are two household names. But oh, Mr.Bigshot behind the computer screen thinks these are not REAL sports.
The Korean athletes you named... HELLO? Nobody knows or cares about them. So much so, you didn't feel the need to include their names. HA! So they haven't really made an IMPACT have they? Not that I hate on them, like you would. I'm sure they are great athletes but IMPACT? Nope. The only Korean athlete that I can think of even close to a household name is Chan Ho Park, and only baseball fans know him.
Gymnastics is another sport that is well favored for its athletic demands. Power, grace, flexiblity, timing, etc. This is a sport that Chinese men dominate. What do you have to say about that? They are short? Sorry, I forgot that Korean soccer players are giants.
So once again you show your ignorance.
Counterpunch this
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 10:18:44 (PST)
[66.47.79.250]
This board just cracks me up. Here we have asian people knocking at each in the face. When they don't know that when they do so, they just end up being pick-on by others. Especially counter puncher, this guy needs to grow up. He is too much into himself, come on boy. And truth, you many be right. And it is just mess up to see that happen. Team mates couldn't help each other out, how can they possibably win the game. I mean by looking at the game of Houston rocket, it always looks as if Steve Francis is the leading scoring who goes in for the most minutes. And when every one sees his scoring points, they think he's like Jordan and the best on the team. Your right, he probably didn't pass the ball.
I can also understand how Yao feel in the NBA. I have play games with non-asian guys myself and I know how it feels to play with them then I would against my own. You don't get the same treatment.
The coach should look into this issue. In the game against the sonic I was hoping Yao would make a better improvement for the 15 mins. But he didn't, a big dispointment for many people [his fans]. Hey, now to think of it, I wonder if he has any black fans, but he does have white. I seen that. Hope he's not a total bust and I wish him the BEST IN THE NBA.
Very true
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 09:50:43 (PST)
[205.232.102.18]
Counterpuncher,
Tennis is not a athletic sport? You gotta be kidding me. It's takes more athletic ability than pitching. You need speed, endurance, agility, hand eye coordination, timing. I would say it takes just as much touch, skill, and timing as soccer players.
Next you will be telling me that korean golf players are better athletes than chinese tennis players. Man you sure know alot about sports. Idiot.
Counterpunch this
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 09:48:43 (PST)
[66.47.79.250]
Counter Puncher,
No one wonder everyone thinks your an idiot. You believe that any sport that Korean play and excel in are real sports, everything else is not a sport. So is women golf a sport? It has a few Korean national in its top ranks. Or is golf not a sport because you don't sweat enough.
You're probably an expert in that Korean sport, nol-twigi. The way you see-saw back and forth on the topic.
Is that "L" on your forehead a tatoo
AC Dropout
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 09:30:19 (PST)
[24.90.98.143]
The Truth,
I can believe you and are not surprised by what you wrote. You know how selfish NBA players are. They just want the status and want to be the leading scoring in the game. This is thier goal. And the more they score the valuable player they are and money they make. NBA is just pretty sad, there is a hidden bias there against other player. This is something the coach should tell them not to do. Life in the NBA is just not fair. Good reasoning and I am not at all surprise by what you wrote. I haven't seen any of Yao's games yet, but this is how NBA is, SELFISH. Usually the vaulable players are the chuckers.
I know what you mean
Wednesday, November 06, 2002 at 09:15:25 (PST)
[205.232.102.18]
Everybody,
I wish Yao Ming good luck on at least getting a pass from his team mates. They don't pass him the ball, getting like 3 passes from his so-called team mates a game when he's wide open. I know because I've watched all 4 of the games and they seem to be avoiding passing to him. Steve Francis scores alot of points because he doesn't pass the ball often. He seems to be avoiding passing to Yao. From the looks of it, they just want him to be a decoration and set up all the screens and defense from him. How can a rookie learn the game when they don't pass him the ball?
No pass to Yao = a losing season...
Good luck cause the Rockets ain't going nowhere.
Steve Francis vividly does not want Yao to take over his stardom. I mean, come on. Pass the fr******g ball, Stevie.
He never did like Yao in Houston in the first place. They said that he finally appraised the Rockets Franchise for choosing Yao in August, but it is obvious that he does not want Yao to take over.
The Truth
Tuesday, November 05, 2002 at 20:37:02 (PST)
[68.96.110.59]
Counter Puncher,
I am korean and frankly u are shaming all koreans with your racist comments about china so why don't u take your whitewashed ass out of here
anti-counter
:O Yawn
Racist? Whitewash? How? You should poke your head out of the Chinese butt you got yourself in. I seriously doubt you are Corean.
Chinatown,
I know you're a sore loser. As I recall you're one of the delusional Chinese ring leaders who were hyping Chinese basketball as world class and Yao as the next Shaq. Since the Chinese National teams' embarrassment in the World Basketball competition and choking in the hands of Coreans in the Asian games we haven't heard much of you. :) Didn't I say all along you guys are all hype, HYPE!!!!
Go Yao,
Yo nerd, what impact has a Chinese athlete made? Is Yao an impact player?
Michael Chang, you consider tennis a sport? Oh brother, you see this is why non Asians think we aren't athletic.
Look at all the world titlist from Corea in boxing, all star Corean pitchers, Corean soccer players in Europe such as Cha Bum-gun, who played 10 yrs in Germany for Bayer Leverkusen and score over 90 goals during the 80's, first and only Asian player to be part of the European club championship team. He is still revered in Germany.
As I said before why do you scrubs bother posting when you know nothing about sports?
Counter Puncher
Tuesday, November 05, 2002 at 18:35:09 (PST)
[205.188.209.43]
Counterpuncher, you are such a racist. And you live in the U.S.? What a joke! You have no clue what the U.S. stands for. Go sign up with the local chapter of the KKK. They are waiting for you!
Realist
Tuesday, November 05, 2002 at 17:14:46 (PST)
[210.0.188.194]
Counter Puncher,
You moron. I was a competitor in TKD. Trained by the Korean American Olympic Coach, Master Han Kwon Lee, who was '88 olympic Bronze medalist.
TKD actually only became an offical olympic event in 2000.
I was also a ranked competitor in Table Tennis in the USA during my Junior High School and High School years.
My cousin is a Judo junior gold medalist in Canada.
I believe I am much more familar with process of making it onto a national team than you are.
Please enlighten me on what makes you qualified to post on TKD or Judo or Table Tennis. Let alone the NBA basketball. What you're a towel boy for an NBA team? I'm pretty sure a NBA waterboy more information on Yao than you do.
If your posting made referrence to coaching, training, or any other realistic factors in developing an athlete, people might actually listen. However, your post are borderline incoherent.
So facts you cannot deny
1) There are 3 Chinese national in the NBA
2) China won the most medals in the Asian games
You really need to get out of your armchair and wipe the "L" off your forehead...Poser.
AC Dropout
Tuesday, November 05, 2002 at 10:31:15 (PST)
[24.90.98.143]
Can't be delusonal,
Hey delusional fool, did Yao threaten you by making it into the NBA and # 1 pick. Did he, cause it sure sounds like he is. Your an idiot, do you even know why they make him number one pick beside his skill and potential. You just don't know, so shut your mouth.
fool
Tuesday, November 05, 2002 at 09:01:10 (PST)
[162.83.150.79]
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